Yieldable driving mechanism



May 1, 1928.

T. MALEY YIELDABLE DRIVING MECHANISM Filed May 18. 1926 2 THU/445 MALE).

Patented May 1, 1928 UNITED STATES 1 1 ,667,864 PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS MALEY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO OI'IMER FARE REGISTER COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

YIELDAIBLE DRIVING MECHANISM.

Application filed May 18, 1926. Serial No. 109,893.

This invention relates to a triction driving mechanism and is des ined more particle larly for use with tac printing mechanism of a. taximcter. More specifically it is an improvement on the type of drivingn1cchanism shown in the application of Henry B. Ohmer. Serial No. 690,003, tiled February 1, 192 1.

In taximeters oi the type to which this invention is applied the printing mechanism is normally locked against operation and can only be released for operation by the proper actuation of other parts of the taxinieter mechanism. In a machine of the ype shown in the patent of John F. Ohiner 1,223,067, dated April 17. 1917 if an attempt is made to operate the printing mechanism bGitOI'G the operations have been properly performed or when for any other reason the printing mechanism is inoperative. there serious danger of some part of the mechanism being broken or otherwise injured by excessive pressure being applied to the actuating device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means tor safeguarding the taxi- .moter mechanism from injury when excessive force is applied to the actuating crank or the printing mechanism.

A further object of the invention to provide a driving connection between the printinp shaft and the actiiatinn crank. which under normal conditions will cause the printing mechanism to be positively driven. but which will yield to permit tha actuating device to move forward relatively to the printing shattt when the latter is held against rotation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind which will he very simple in its construction and operation, of strong, durable character and in which the various parts are readil accessible.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the mechanism is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a device embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View on the line 22 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the same.

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view on the line 5-4) of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the ratchet shown in F 2. and

Fig. 7 is a detailed connecting members.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention and have shown the same as applied to the printing mecha-' nism of a t-aximeter. but it will be understood that this particular embodimenthas been chosen for the purpose of illustration only and that the device itselt may takevarious forms and may be used in connection with mechanisms of various kinds.

The particular device here illustrated comprises two cooperating clutch members, one of which is connected with the actuating device or crank handle through a pawl and ratchet arrangement.and the other of which. is connected with the printing shaft of the taximeter. The two members of the connecting device have cooperating; parts which serve normally to positively connect the two members one to the other. but which will yield when the printing shaft is held against rotation to permit the crankhandle to be rotated without causing danger to the printing mechanism. I

In F 4: I have designated a portion of the endwall ot' a taximeter casing by the reference character 1 and a portion or the print-inn shaft by the character 2. The other parts of the taximeter mechanism are not necessary to understand the invention, and, therefore, I have not illustrated the same. 4 The printing shaft 2 is operatively Connected with a connecting member 3 by a tongue and groove connection clearly shown in Fig. l, the groove 1 in the printing); shaft 2 receiving the tongue 5 in the connecting member 3. If desired. the parts 2 and 3 may be made integral. The connecting member 3 is ournaled in a bearing 6 secured to the casino; 1- by means of screws 7.

A frustrum 01. a cone 8 is secured to the connecting member 3, which cone frictionally engages a ratchet 9 having a cup-shaped portion 10 of the same contour as the face of the cone member 8, the cone and cup forming a friction clutch. The ratchet 9 is rotatably mounted on the connecting member 3 and is held in position thereon by means of a washer 11, a second Washer 12 provided with a tongue adapted to be seated in the view of one of the groove 13 in the connecting member 3, and a third washer 14. The washer 12 eliminates any tendency for the washer l t to rotate and, therefore, holds the atchet securely in position so that it: *annot be moved away from or toward the cone member 8. A, cank 15 is provided with an enlarged circular part 16 and a crank handle 17. The circular part 16 is provided with a circular aperture within which lies the member 8 and is provided with two lugs 18 provided with threaded holes 19 to receive screws 20 to thereb secure the circular casing 21 to the crank 15. The circular part 16 also carries a lug 22 serving as a pivot to a dog 23 which is yicldinglv pressed toward the ratchet 9 by means of a spring; It secured to :1 lug 25 on the circular portion 16 of the c 'ank 15. A hole 26 is provided in the 'atchet 9 to 'taeilitate the oilin c of the device and to make the screws accessible.

In operation the c'ank handle 17 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1. As the c'ank 15 rotates it carries with it the circular portion 16 thereof and the dog 23 winch engages the ratchet t) rotating the saute to the same extent that the handle 15 is rotated. The cup-shaped portion of the ratchet 9 engages the coneshaped member 8 trictionallv rotating the same and thereb; rotating the members 1% and Q. It, however, the printing shaft 2 should be held against rotation. the. friction in the clutch members will be overcome. the cone-shaped member 8 remaining stationar v and the cup-shaped portion of the ratchet 9 revolving relative thereto. By adjusting the washers 11. 12 and 14 the amount of friction necessary to rotate the shaft 2 can he accurately adjusted. and when once adjusted required no turther adjustment for a long period of time inasmuch as the tongue and groove connection between the washer 12 and the member 3 prevents any rotational ett'cct being exerted on the washer 11 by the ratchet member 9.

If it be desired to rotate the crank handle reversely. it is obvious that upon such reverse rotation the pawl :23 will ride over the teeth of the 'atchet 9 without tending to impart any movement to the printing shatt This is necessary in case the printing shaft has been obstructed or held against rotation by the flag being, for instance. in an improper position. As soon as the cause of the obstruction is removed, the crank 15 can be reverselv rotated to its usual position and then rotated as shown by the arrow in Fig. l. to operate the printing aha H. i.

\Vhile I have hown and described one embodinicnt ol my invention I -"i il it to be understood that I do not dc:-irc to la limited to the details thercot'. but dc-=irc to claim the same broadly. re.-'-'crvin; to nrvsclt the right to makany modifications which may occur to a person skilled in thc art.

ltaviup; described my invention. 1 claim: I. in a tartimcter. a crank. :1 dog carried b said crank. a connecting member. a ratchet rotatablv mounted on said connectina member and engaged by said dog. said ratcln-t being provided with a cup-shaped depression. and a (one member secured to said connecting member and trictionally cog: red by the cup-shaped portion 01' said chet.

in a ta. timcter. a shaft. a crank handle. wherebv said shat't may be operated. means opcrativelv connecting said crank handl and shaft consisting of a cup and cone t'riction clutch. one of the meml'icrs of said clutch being" a ratchet. means whereby said ratchet is operated by the said crank handle. and means whereby said clutch nia t be adjusted so as to adjust. one of the clutch members relative to the other.

il. in a taximetcr. a shaft. a crank handle trhcrcbv said shalt ma}, be operated. means operativelv connecting said crank handle and shaft consisting: of a cup and cone l'riction clutch. one of the members oi raid clutch being a ratchet. means whereby said ratchet ope 'ated bv the said crank handle. and means whereby said clutch may be ad jttitttl. so as to adjust one of the clutch members relative to the other. said ratchet being! provided with an aperture to 'i'acilitutc the oiling oi the clutch.

1. in a taximeter. a crank. a dog carried by said crank. a connecting nicmliier. a ratchet rotatably mounted on said connecting member and engaged by said dog. said ratchet being provided with a cup-shaped depression, a cone member secured to said connecting inemljier and 'lrictionallv engaged by the cup-shaped portion ot' said ratchet. and a cover to exclude 'l'orcign matter from the clutch. the pawl and the ratchet.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature.

THOMAS MALEY. 

